WWE SummerSlam 2023 - Preview and predictions including huge title change

05 August 2023 , 12:45

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Jimmy and Jey Uso will fight their family Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa at WWE Money in the Bank 2023 at the O2 Arena in London (Image: WWE)

Roman Reigns, Logan Paul, Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey will all be in action at WWE SummerSlam tonight.

Reigns has been forced to put everything on the line in a heated clash with his cousin Jey Uso in 'Tribal Combat'.

They will battle not only for his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship but also recognition as the 'Tribal Chief'.

Social media phenomenon Paul will no doubt go viral for an outrageous stunt when he faces high flyer Ricochet.

Cody Rhodes is the man with the unenviable task of trying to conquer the 'Beast Incarnate' Lesnar at the Ford Field in Detroit.

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And UFC legend Rousey could be set for her last match in WWE in an 'MMA rules' bout with former best friend Shayna Baszler.

Here is a match-by-match breakdown of the show.

Slim Jim SummerSlam Battle Royal 25-man battle royal

WWE SummerSlam 2023 - Preview and predictions including huge title change

LA Knight has become a fan favourite for his banter on the microphone

WWE's favourite way of shoehorning as many stars as possible onto one of its biggest shows could well be the opening bout this evening.

Fan favourite and man of the moment LA Knight heads the cast of stars so far confirmed for the over the top rope elimination contest.

Also confirmed to be involved at the time of writing are Sheamus, Tommaso Ciampa, Shinsuke Nakamura, Otis, Chad Gable, Karrion Kross, Grayson Waller, Matt Riddle, Santos Escobar, AJ Styles and The Miz.

Expect some classic comedy from Otis and Gable, Kross and Styles to lock horns, and fans to be left disappointed when LA Knight doesn't get the win - someone like Grayson Waller could get the victory and the heat by last eliminating 'The Megastar'.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Grayson Waller

Gunther (c) vs Drew McIntyre

Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Can Gunther be defeated? The big Scot will certainly try (WWE)

The last time Gunther and Drew McIntyre met in the ring they served up an instant classic with Sheamus in a five star triple threat contest at WrestleMania 39.

Three months on, after McIntyre took a break from the ring during which it was rumoured he was leaving WWE, the colossal Scot is back and gunning for gold.

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'Hard hitting' is an insufficient phrase to describe the brutality we will see unfold when these two juggernauts beat the hell out of each other for our entertainment.

It's tough to call this one, but WWE may be unable to resist Gunther holding onto the belt a little longer and eclipsing the Honky Tonk Man's record IC title reign.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Gunther

Ricochet vs. Logan Paul

Singles match

While his brother Jake will be boxing, Logan has his own battle (WWE)

Logan Paul has defied all expectations with how brilliantly he has taken to life as a WWE superstar - he can talk the talk and most definitely walk the walk.

Incredibly athletic and such a natural heel, this is the perfect match-up as here he faces one of wrestling's classic babyfaces, the high flying daredevil Ricochet.

A spot as prominent on a card as this for Ricochet is long overdue, but with his former NXT boss Triple H now making the decisions, he has the chance to shine.

However, after suffering defeats in his last two major singles encounters, tonight is time for Logan Paul to go viral with an extraordinary stunt and get the win.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Logan Paul

Ronda Rousey vs Shayna Baszler

MMA Rules match

Shayna stabbed Ronda in the back Money in the Bank (WWE)

Ronda Rousey is rumoured to be on her way out of WWE, after a run that started so promisingly, but dwindled into mediocrity due to poor booking and disinterest.

For some reason, it took far too long to make the obvious switch and cast Rousey as the domineering heel, after audiences turned on her as long ago as 2021.

Nonsensical booking meant fans also never got to see her face Becky Lynch one-on-one at WrestleMania 35, thanks to the frustrating inclusion of Charlotte Flair.

All that is now in the past, and at least a reign as Women's Tag Team Champion with her best friend and former UFC star Shayna Baszler concluded in style.

Baszler's shock betrayal and ambush on Rousey, costing them the titles at Money in the Bank, has led to a heated and believable feud, and what should be a very stiff and intense 'fight'. If Rousey is leaving town, then Baszler must take the win.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Shayna Baszler

Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar

Singles match

Brock has had Cody's number for the last few weeks (WWE)

Brock Lesnar and WWE's script writers have to this day failed to offer any meaningful reason for why the Beast Incarnate turned heel post-WrestleMania and savagely attacked Cody Rhodes.

It's been a glaring omission during this otherwise well-delivered feud between Rhodes - the new golden boy of WWE looking to get back to the top after failing to dethrone Roman Reigns at WrestleMania - and the monstrous UFC legend.

Lesnar has repeatedly battered Rhodes to a pulp, but the American Nightmare did manage to score a victory over Brock at Backlash, only for Lesnar to even the score at Night of Champions. Now in this rubber match, Rhodes surely will win the series.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Cody Rhodes

Seth Rollins (c) vs Finn Balor

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Will Seth Rollins meet his Judgment Day? (WWE)

Finn Balor is desperate for what he sees as long overdue revenge against Seth Rollins, the man who injured him when he became the inaugural WWE Universal Champion seven years ago, meaning he had to relinquish the title just two days later.

However, standing in his way of defeating the World Heavyweight Champion has been his own stablemate in the Judgment Day, the newly-crowned Senor Money in the Bank, Damian Priest.

Is it time to split up the Judgment Day? This writer would suggest not yet, but that might well be the way WWE go if Priest again interferes in this match and costs Balor his title dream. Yet wouldn't the tension be even higher if Balor captured the title, but Priest held the briefcase?

For all their respective talent, Rollins and Balor are yet to put on a bonafide classic match together. This is a huge opportunity to change that and shock fans.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Finn Balor

Asuka (c) vs Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair

Triple threat match for the WWE Women's Championship

Asuka will certainly have her hands full (WWE)

Bianca Belair's epic reign as Raw Women's Champion was finally brought to a close by the nefarious Asuka at Night of Champions.

A consistently outstanding performer, the rejuvenated Asuka's character and ring work deserves gold to be placed around her waist.

Charlotte Flair, as is often the way, has been inserted into their rivalry, meaning Belair has been frustrated in her bid for a rematch.

These three women are capable of putting on a great match - as they showed at WrestleMania when they were part of all-time classics.

Money in the Bank winner Io Sky is also lurking in the shadows ready to pounce, but Asuka should walk out as champion in Michigan.

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Asuka

Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jey Uso

Tribal Combat for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Roman Reigns finally faces Jey Uso in what could be the end of the Bloodline feud (WWE)

Jey Uso wrote his name in the history books at Money in the Bank as he became the first man in WWE to pin Roman Reigns in over three and a half years.

The Tribal Chief's cousin was also the first person to pin him in WWE, when The Shield faced an 11-on-3 handicap match on Raw back in September 2013.

It would seem logical if 'Main Event Jey' was the man to finally end Reigns' mammoth title run. After all, their dynamic has been at the heart of The Bloodline saga since the very beginning.

However, if that is eventually the way this story concludes, it won't be tonight. By hook or by crook, Reigns will emerge victorious, after what should be a great match,

Daily Mirror predicted winner: Roman Reigns